Posts by Lucinda Secrest McDowell

Last week I was asked to speak (remotely) to a Bible Study in Bethesda MD on the life of Elisabeth Elliot. I was delighted to know these women had been studying many great servants of the Lord and it was a privilege to be with them and remember some of Elisabeth’s legacy. Elisabeth Elliot entered…

One morning my computer screen and phone blew up with messages about my urgent email asking for money while I was on a trip. “What???” After initial confusion, I realized someone had cloned me – wreaking havoc with my life and reputation. Those emails appeared to be from me, with all the markings of legitimacy.…

Everywhere I look chaos reigns.  Our world has spiraled into confusion, contempt, and confrontation when our better selves would choose compassion, courage, and community.  Desperate for change, we seek leadership — on every level.  But what kind of leaders do we need today for home, church, workplace, school, town, government, and country? And what could…

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Galatians 5.1 Do people celebrate Juneteenth where you live? Perhaps this year, more than ever, we should realize the significance of this day of remembrance. For years now I have…

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4.19 One of the greatest tragedies during this pandemic has been the loss of jobs, business closings, charities and ministries hurting, and greatly reduced income for many, many people – including the elderly and disadvantaged populations. It’s no…

Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112.6-7 It’s that time again – the nightly news on television. With a mixture of curiosity and dread, I often feel like standing in front of our TV before watching and…

My heart breaks every time I think of Christ’s lament from the cross: About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,  lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).  Matthew 27.46 NIV Because there is nothing quite so painful as the sense of being abandoned by someone you…

Our 36th wedding anniversary is later this week and we plan to celebrate quietly on our 74th day of pandemic quarantine. By God’s grace, we are still talking to each other! Making time to look back and remember – to look forward and hope. As I glanced at the photographs of my younger self, I…

While still in my thirties, I realized I was an ‘older woman.’ I had stumbled upon the mandate in Titus 2 about older women living in a way that honors God, “They should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women…” It was easy to dismiss this as something for…

Have you ever taken your eyes off a child for a moment, only for them to become lost? No matter how long the separation lasts, the horror of their disappearance time-stamps your brain with trauma. Thirty years ago, my best friend Maggie Rowe, experienced this when her young son Jordan wandered away from his family…